To think I should be able to spend my Christmas money on myself?

[Accyd]

DH and I bought our first home this year. It’s a doer-upper and the to-do list is as long as your arm. We don’t earn tons, (public sector so no bonuses etc!), so as much as we’d like to wave a magic wand and get it all done as quickly as possible we’re having to prioritise the different tasks.

DH and I both were kindly given some Christmas money by a family member. I have been planning to treat myself as I’ve had a bit of a rough year health wise. I’ve been thinking of perhaps a spa day, a gym membership, some nice clothes etc.

DH has said that he thinks we should pool the cash and put it towards one of the many jobs in the house.

As much as I would love to get more done in the house, AIBU to want to spend my money on myself?

Could you split it? So if you got £120, spend £60 on yourself, and put £60 into the 'home pot?'

It's your money, you do whatever you want with yours and your DH can do whatever he likes with his.

Yes it's your money but that list of things you want to buy is hundreds/thousands?

I think it gets harder if it's a huge amount to spend it on consumer goods rather than property

For me it would depend on how much Christmas money you each got and whether it would make a dent in the money needed for the jobs.

Eg if you got £100-£200 that isn't going to be a massive dent in a big job like plastering/bathroom kitchen etc. But it could be a really nice treat when otherwise your money is being put into the house so wouldn't have disposable income to spend on yourself usually.

I agree with PP - set aside half to spend on yourself and half towards a specific job in the house.

Treat yourself. You have the rest of years to do the house.

Depends on the amount of course as one PP said - £100 is a drop in the ocean when it comes to renovations and decorating. But goes quite far on a nice treat for oneself.

Imo houses take years to get anywhere near to finished, even decades. So unless you’re going to sacrifice every spare penny, you have to accept it takes as long as it takes and still try to enjoy life as you go, therefore I would totally spend it on myself, there will always be more DIY to see to. Nice gifts from family are few and far between!

When I bought my first home - and this is replicated in the 5 young couples I know who have bought their first homes in the last couple of years - I was so excited about it I wanted to invest in it, and do things to it.
I'm with your dh, I'd throw everything at it whilst you are in that enthusiastic first few months.
I can't understand the idea of having a list of things that need doing and then "splashing" money on things that are over in a day or an evening.